Combined shoe shank and filler.



W. H. WOOD.

COMBINED SHOE SHANK AND FILLED.

APPLIOATIUN FILED 11116.11, 1911.

'Patented Manz, 1912.

muws rmlsmac ummwmunwn C.

UNITED'Asfriirns rAralar onirica.

"WILLIAM n. woon, Vor nocnnsrnn, NEW Yoan.

' COMBINED SHOE'SHANK' AND FILLER.

i y Specicatinof Letters Patent.

Application filled August 11, 1911. Serial INo. 643,506.

10i The present invention relates to shoe Shanks and an object` thereof isv to provide an improvedv construction in which the shank is employed also asta filler for giving a curve to the arch of an outer soleof a shoe.k

vTo this and other ends the invention con sists in certain parts and combinations of parts all of which will be hereinafter described, thenovel features being pointed outin the appended claims. i ln the drawings :hFigure 1 is a side view Jzo of a shoe partly lin longitudinal section to show the position of thel combined shank and filler; Fig. 2 shows .the inner and the outer sole in enlarged transverse section, y with the combined shank and filler in position between them; Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section of the shank and vfiller; Fig. 4 is a plan view; and Fig. 5 is a bottom view.

According to this invention, the shank which is usually arrangedv between the inner and the outer sole o' a shoe is formed vfrom sheet material in such a manner that it acts to provide a filler which will maintain the longitudinal curve of the arch of the" outer sole against collapsing throughout the width of the shoe.

Preferably a strip ofv sheet material of uniform width is employed and is curved transversely' to gire an arched effect. This strip is also bent or corrugated longitudinally to provide at least three longitudinally extending projections on its under side.` In this instance, the central longitudinally extending projection or rib il has greater height than and depends below the outside longitudinally extending projections 2, the latter being preferably formed by bending downwardly the opposite longitudinal edges of the strip, so that two ribs 3 shank arranged in the same plane and 'forming a smooth and wide surface tor engageare provided on the upper surface of thel ment with the inner sole. Of course, the curved faces-of the ribs 3 willnot 1out the ini ner sole and, at the same time, will be comfortable to the foot of the wearer of the shoe. The two ends of the shank are left flat at 4 and 5 and openings 6 are provided for the fasteners.

' l'n using the shank, it is secured at` one end to the inner sole, and afterward, while the latter is on a last with the upper, thev outer sole 9 is applied and is bent or curved lover the shank, the central rib acting to support the high point of the curve and the projections 2 engaging the outer sole 9 on opposite sides of the high point and acting to support the curve away from the high point so that additional support is provided which prevents the collapse of the curve throughout the width of the sole. The projections 2 preferably cooperate with the outer sole at points substantially midway between the high point and the inseam shoulders 10. i I

I believe myself to be the first to provide a combined shoe shank and filler which is made from sheet material and has a central rib for supporting the high point of the curve in the outer sole and also has projections on'opposite sides of the Ahigh point of less height than the central ribv to support the outer sole on opposite sides of the high point thus giving support vto the curve throughout the width of the sole.

What l claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A shoe shank stiii'ener and filler formed from sheet material, arched between its ends and bent to provide, on the under side of the arch, a central longitudinally extending rib, and longitudinally extending projections on opposite sides of the longitudinally extending rib of less height than the latter.

Patented Mar. 26, 1912.

from sheet material,arched between its ends and bent to provide, on the under side of the arch, a central longitudinally extending rib, and longitudinally extending projections on opposite sides of the central rib, the latter extending below the said longitudinally extending projections, and'the upper side of the arch of the shank having wide foot-rest ing portions between the central rib and the longitudinally extending projections.

' 3. A shoe shank stifener and fillerformed resting surfaces on opposite sides of the cenf from sheet material, llaving flattened por-V tml rib for engaging the innexI sole of the lions at its ends, arched between its ends, shoe.

and bent between the flattened portions to WILLIAM H. WOUD. 5 provide, on the under side ofthe arch, a een- Witnesses:

tral longitudinally extending rib, and on, Y H. SIMMS,"

the upper side of the arch, two wide foot- ADA M. WHITMORE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the f Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

